Counseling Careers Facts and Figures

The demand for people to fill counseling careers is growing and is expected to continue to grow for many years to come, so if you are considering a counseling career, you may be able to find employment rather quickly upon graduation from Colorado Christian University. CCU offers various counseling-related degree programs that will prepare you for a number of counseling careers; one of the great aspects of counseling is that there are numerous different positions in the field of counseling, which allows you to 1) apply for many different types of jobs upon graduation and 2) choose an area to “specialize” in such as substance abuse counseling or adolescent counseling and pursue an advanced degree focusing on one particular area. Knowing that each and every day you go to work you are helping others is a very rewarding feeling that many jobs simply do not afford others.

CCU offers a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and courses can be taken online or on-campus. Many adults are completing degree programs online because they are already in the workforce, and online course work affords them the opportunity to set their own schedule, or they have family responsibilities that prevent them from attending classes regularly on campus.

According to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of counselors is expected to increase by 18% between 2011 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. However, growth is expected to vary by specialty; for instance, employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow by 21%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. As society becomes more knowledgeable about substance addiction, more people are seeking treatment, and people charged with drug offenses are often sent to drug rehabilitation facilities rather than prison, especially if it’s their first offense. Due to overcrowding in many prison systems, judges are opting to give first-time offenders the opportunity to get well in a rehab facility rather than “punish” them with jail times. Repeat offenders and serious drug offenses such as drug trafficking will often result in jail/prison time, but many, if not all prisons, offer in-house counseling for convicted felons with substance abuse problems. Everyone from soccer moms to hardcore criminals are dealing with substance issues, so, unfortunately, there will always be a need for counseling careers related to drug and alcohol addiction. Christian counselors are in great demand.

Employment for educational, vocational and school counselors is also expected to grow in the coming years (by 14% to be exact). The demand for vocational and career counselors continues to grow as career changes become more frequent and employees are afforded the privilege of on-site counseling. The need for school counselors is also growing because now, even elementary schools in many states, are requiring that counselors be available during the school day to help students deal with a variety or crises like addicted parents, poverty, divorce, death of a parent, various learning/behavioral disorders, substance abuse of their own, sexuality issues and thoughts of suicide. High school counselors are faced with the challenge of not only helping teens deal with adolescent-related struggles, but now, college preparation and admissions assistance is a big part of the job of high school guidance counselor.

The demand for mental health counselors is also expected to grow (by 24%) as more and more people are willing to seek help and no longer associate counseling with the stigma it once carried decades ago. Marriage and family therapists will experience growth of around 14% as more and more couples seek help working out the problems in their marriage and with the challenges of raising children. Simply put, counseling careers are abundant, and now, more than ever before, the country needs caring, compassionate, Christian counselors who are willing to dedicate their lives to helping others facing crises related to substance abuse, family relationships, job difficulties, and general psychological disorders.

CCU is committed to providing students education from a Christian worldview, and we encourage you to look into our counseling-related degree programs if you feel you have what it takes to devote your life and career to serving others in this fashion. Please contact the CCU Admissions and Financial Aid Office to learn more about how to get started on the path to a very rewarding counseling career today.

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